Orsini Polyptich

Orsini Polyptich

Originally, these four scenes were part of a polyptych. The work, by Italian painter
Simone Martini, was an evocation of two key passages from the New Testament.
Mary and the angel
Gabriel, who were depicted on the reverse sides, represent the Annunciation, the
announcement to Mary of the Incarnation.
Calvary and the
Descent from the Cross thematise the death of Christ.
In the left of
Calvary, the Roman soldier Longinus plants his spear into the side of the crucified
Christ. Only when the blood from the wound drips into his eyes does Longinus recognise Christ as
the Son of God. As does the Roman centurion to the right, who points at Christ and says: "Truly
this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27: 54). Quite striking are the highly emotive representations of
Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross and the women on the left who are consoling Mary. The
emphasis is on physical, visible suffering rather than on psychological pain. A similar
expressiveness characterises the witnesses to the
Descent from the Cross.

Portable altarpiece

Simone Martini painted these small panels as parts of a portable altarpiece.
The Carrying of the Cross and
The Entombment, which are in the collection of respectively the Louvre in Paris and
Staatliche Museen in Berlin, are thought also to have belonged to this private devotional altar. It
was most probably commissioned by Cardinal Napoleone Orsini, who appears as a kneeling figure in
one of the four scenes.